2025 Lincoln Navigator

The Lincoln Navigator has been on the market for nearly 30 years and the formula has never really changed. Make it big and make it luxurious. Well that’s exactly what Lincoln did with this 5th-gen Navigator and they invited us to San Diego, California for a First Drive.

In these days of electrification, normally we’d build up to the reveal of an all-new, more potent powertrain that utilizes at least one electric motor, but the 2025 Navigator still relies solely on the same 3.5-liter Twin Turbo V6 and 10-speed auto combo, sending 440 horsepower and 510 lb.-ft of torque to the standard all-wheel drive system. No electrification here…there’s plenty of that inside, where a massive 48-inch panoramic display sits atop the dash. It’s a setup first seen on Lincoln’s Nautilus SUV. The screen itself is the same exact size as it is in the Nautilus, but here in the larger Navigator, there’s room on either side for speakers.

The screen is customizable to display the info you want, where you want it and when in park, it’ll even project games and videos. And while driving, it’ll provide a live view on either side when the turn signal is activated for safer lane changes.

The dash screen is so eye-grabbing, most will probably glance right over the oval-shaped steering wheel, which is squished for the sake of screen visibility. And as if the panoramic screen wasn’t enough, Lincoln kept a more traditional 11.1-inch touchscreen down below, which proved to be very responsive, especially when using it to direct HVAC air flow.

Of course you can’t talk about a Lincoln without mentioning the seats. Base Navigators get a 24-way adjustable driver seat and 22-way adjustable passenger seat with heating, cooling and massaging functions. Step up to the Black Label and both front seats adjust in 30-different ways.

The second row can come with a bench or captain’s chairs, which can also be optioned to massage while the third row fits 3 people and can be optioned with heat.

Still available in both standard and long-wheelbase form, rear cargo volume is up slightly over the 4th gen Navigator and it is now accessed through a new split-tailgate. The lower section can hold up to 500 pounds and there’s even a cargo tray that converts into a backrest.

Speaking of rest, the Navigator gains what Lincoln calls a “Rejuvenate” function, which for 5 or 10-minute sessions turns the parked Navigator into a spa using seat heat, massage, sounds and even smells.

Outside, the grille is bigger and bolder with a light bar slicing through it. The rear also gets a light bar and the split gate itself is effectively a design element. Wheels start at 22-inches with 24s available. Black Labels get these Radiant Copper Aluminum 24-inchers.

As elegant as these Navigators look parked on the lawn of The Inn at Rancho Santa Fe, we had to get the wheels moving to see how the whole package works on the road.

“There’s really not a whole lot to report with driving dynamics. It’s really more about this panoramic screen and all the technology. More on that in a little bit. But what I do like is that while it still does use the twin turbo V6, it kind of sounds like a V8. And I think that’s what a Navigator buyer wants. They want it to sound like a V8. Lots of low end torque.

As far as on-road manners, I mean, this thing is still built on the F-150 platform. So, I mean, it really does kind of drive like a truck. So the steering wheel, it is flat top and bottom. While I thought I would have some issues with the oval shape, it’s been pretty easy to get used to.

Now to the technology part and how it works with the driving experience. So the screen is placed in such a way that it is at really, I think, the perfect position. So you can see right over it. But at a quick glance down you do see all the information that you want down on here.

I think one of my favorite things about the screen is that when you turn the turn signal on and you want to change lanes to the right, you get that side view down the side for Blind Spot. You turn left, that comes up on the left side. You turn right. It comes up on the right side. That’s the way it should be.

Overall, I’m just really impressed with the packaging here in the Navigator. I think it’s the way they integrate all the screens and the technology. Some manufacturers can just throw screens. They make them big, they make them wide and it can really just become overwhelming. I think Lincoln has struck a really nice balance here of adding those big screens, but making them really kind of in the background in one really nice, elegant package.”

The 2025 Lincoln Navigator goes on sale this spring with destination-included pricing starting at just over $102-thousand with long-wheel base Black Labels reaching over $123-. We’ll have more on the Lincoln Navigator and others right here on MotorWeek!